accidental error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accidental error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that occurred unintentionally. Example: "The report contained an accidental error that led to incorrect conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's very hard for me to believe that it was an accidental error," McVoy said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Being limited by the observational conditions, the accuracy of the observed result was limited, the maximal accidental error was about 6" and there existed certain systematic errors.

Chinese Astronomy and Astrophysics

That they make the occasional accidental error is neither surprising, nor particularly worrisome.

TechCrunch

Systems changes include: improvement in working conditions and in the time available for reporting, equipment alteration to prevent accidental error, and regular dialogue in the emergency room between clinicians and sonographers [42].

Critical Ultrasound Journal

While the great promise of social media was that we could hear directly from those involved in global events, in reality we still listen to the world at a distance, with the great "telephone game" of accidental error and malicious intervention corrupting the marketplace of ideas.

Forbes

However, the repeatability is very low if the critical conditions were obtained from samples in different batches because of the accidental error and system error, such as differences caused by different molybdenum sample holder blocks, ambience in the growth chamber, measurement of growth rate and temperature, and so on.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We're seeing more penalties imposed on accidental errors, carelessness," he said.

The New York Times

The proposed method shows satisfactory efficiency and robustness for data even in the presence of gross accidental errors.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems

There is a real danger that elections could be stolen by nefarious computer code, or that accidental errors could change an election's outcome.

The New York Times

The company said that the deliberate misstatements had a minor effect, while most of its problems were caused by accidental errors.

The New York Times

This is a bit like a checksum test for spotting accidental errors in blocks of data and a neat piece of science to boot.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sensitive situations, use "accidental error" to soften the impact of a mistake, emphasizing the lack of malicious intent.

Common error

Avoid using "accidental error" repeatedly in formal reports. Replace it with synonyms like "unintentional mistake" or "inadvertent slip" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accidental error" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as describing technical failures or mistakes in reports. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accidental error" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe unintentional mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples drawn from news, science, and other fields. While "error" can imply unintentionality, adding "accidental" emphasizes the lack of deliberate intent. When writing, consider context and formality; synonyms like "unintentional mistake" or "inadvertent slip" may be more appropriate in some situations. Avoid overuse, especially in formal reports, to maintain clarity and engagement. Remember to use this term to soften the impact of mistakes and emphasize the lack of malicious intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional mistake

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the error.

inadvertent slip

Implies a minor and unintentional error.

unforeseen mistake

Highlights the unexpected nature of the error.

involuntary fault

Emphasizes the lack of control in committing the error.

unintended inaccuracy

Stresses that the error resulted in something not precise.

chance blunder

Highlights the role of chance in the error's occurrence.

fortuitous mishap

Indicates an unintended and unfortunate event.

casual oversight

Suggests a lack of attention led to the error.

erroneous slip-up

Highlights the erroneous nature and the fact it was a minor failure.

unanticipated flaw

Implies a defect or imperfection that was not predicted.

FAQs

What does "accidental error" mean?

An "accidental error" refers to a mistake that occurs unintentionally, without deliberate planning or malice. It's a fault that happens by chance or oversight.

How can I use "accidental error" in a sentence?

You can use "accidental error" to describe a mistake that occurred without intention. For instance, "The system failure was attributed to an "unintentional mistake" in the code."

What are some alternatives to "accidental error"?

Alternatives to "accidental error" include "unintentional mistake", "inadvertent slip", or "unforeseen mistake". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it redundant to say "accidental error"?

While "error" often implies unintentionality, using "accidental" can add emphasis, especially when clarifying that the mistake was not deliberate. However, in some contexts, simply using "error" might be sufficient.